UFC:

NHLer Dandenault to commentate at UFC 158

MONTREAL – The Ultimate Fighting Championship has many celebrity fans from the world of professional sports. Athletes like Shaquille O’Neal, Mike Tyson, Glen Davis and Shane Victorino, to name a few, are known for being huge supporters of mixed martial arts.

But of all the professional athletes that enjoy the UFC, former NHL defenceman and Stanley Cup champion Mathieu Dandenault is probably the biggest fan of all.

In fact, Dandenault is so involved in the sport he will be providing commentary for the French language broadcast of UFC 158 alongside Jean-Paul Chartrand Saturday at the Bell Centre.

“I’ll be cageside. I’m ecstatic,” Dandenault told Sportsnet.ca.

Patrick Cote, who fights Bobby Voelker on the preliminary card, usual provides analysis for the french broadcasts, but since he will be busy Dandenault has stepped in.

“(Cote) is fighting so I’ll be doing the analysis for the first part of the show until he comes back then we’re going to do it three ways,” Dandenault said. “I love covering (the UFC) and getting to know the fighters.”

The three-time Stanley Cup winner with the Detroit Red Wings (1997, 1998, 2002) was introduced to the UFC in 1997 and has been a huge supporter of MMA ever since.

“I was playing in Detroit and went to see a show and it was UFC 9: Ken Shamrock vs. Dan Severn. It wasn’t the greatest of matches but I’ve been hooked ever since.”

On Wednesday, Dandenault took part in a Canadian celebrity athlete MMA seminar following the UFC 158 open workouts hosted by Georges St-Pierre’s trainer Firas Zahabi.

Almost Done!

Please confirm the information below before signing up.

{* #socialRegistrationForm_pubsports *}
{* socialRegistration_firstName *}{* socialRegistration_lastName *}{* socialRegistration_emailAddress *}{* socialRegistration_displayName *}
By checking this box, I confirm that I have read and understood each of the website terms of service and privacy policy and that I agree to be bound by them.